Category Archives for "Sheila Hellermann | Just Don’t Ask Me to Sing"

This week I read Simone Biles’s tweet that the support she has received “made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.” This is important for her, and everyone, as we struggle through life and the pressures, expectations, and demands. We are more than how others define us. […]

This summer so far has produced very little rain, causing lots of dry fields and lawns. I remember a fall harvest season a couple years ago that was exceptionally wet. Reflecting on this, I have been thinking much about farmers. Each spring, they invest in seeds, fertilizer and time preparing fields and planting. Then they […]

The last blog I wrote talked about “The Chosen.” It tells the story of Jesus through the eyes, and backstories, of his followers. It is outstanding. One of the really unique things is that the Apostle Matthew, played by Paras Patel, is autistic. Jesus came to call everyone including the sick and outcasts, particularly those […]

This phrase has stuck with me since watching the last episode of season one of “The Chosen.” “The Chosen” is a series that explores what the individuals of the Gospels in the Bible were experiencing in their lives when they encountered Jesus. The Bible does not tell us their stories, or only in broad strokes. […]

A trip through any store in the last few weeks will remind you it is Valentine’s Day. For such a minor holiday (relative to those like Easter and Christmas), the stores and advertisements are sure counting on this one for sales. I read that Valentine’s Day spending nationwide is expected to reach $27.4 billion this […]

A little over a year I chose “behold” as my word of the year. For 2021 I am choosing “stillness.” Similar? Yes, in some ways, but very different in others. I pray in the morning. On New Year’s Day morning, I woke up early and before leaving to run, I prayed and resolved to spend […]

Often we reflect on how Jesus’ birth changed everything and how Jesus’ crucifixion changed everything. But, maybe this year, we need to give a little more time to how neither of those things were possible without Mary’s yes. As we just celebrated the Immaculate Conception, think about it. Without Mary’s willingness to do God’s will, […]

There are still things to be thankful for. It is hard some days with Covid-19, a difficult election season and deep divides separating people. So for a few days, I decided to think intentionally about it. As Thanksgiving approaches (which is normally my favorite holiday, but admittedly I am struggling this year), I share my […]

Since its release, I had seen bits and pieces of the new Encyclical Letter from Pope Francis, “Fratelli Tutti.” I was more and more intrigued, and I could not resist sitting down and diving deeper. It is powerful. It is timely. It is important. Ironically it was the same week I watched “Social Dilemma” on […]

Behind the mask there is a recent high school senior who is excited to be packing and moving to college, but apprehensive because college has limited visitors and has cut out the breaks and long weekends, encouraging students not to go home. Behind the mask there is a soon-to-be bride not excited that her family […]